Dishwasher with improved side liquid inlet and hose support



July 30, 1968 E. 1.. MACOICZ DISHWASHER WITH IMPROVED SIDE LIQUID INLET AND HOSE SUPPORT Original Filed Oct. 20, 1965 FIG. 4

L if 4 m hlllllllll\ INVENTOR. Edward L. Mocoicz Attorney United States Patent 3,394,725 DISHWASHER WITH IMPROVED SIDE LIQUID INLET AND HOSE SUPPORT Edward Lawrence Macoicz, Shorewood, Wis., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser. No. 498,243, Oct. 20, 1965. This application Sept. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 671,155 Claims. (Cl. 137216.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic dishwasher having improved side liquid inlet means comprising a J-shaped inlet formed as an outwardly extending embossment on one of the side walls of the dishwasher washing enclosure with the upper end of its longer leg separated from the side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for the enclosure. A substantially flat backing plate is secured to the inner end of the side wall to cover the embossment and has an aperture positioned to coincide with the upper end of the embossment shorter leg so that the backing plate and embossment define a J-shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the enclosure outside and a discharge opening on the enclosure inside. A hose is employed for supplying liquid to the fluid receiving opening and support means are provided for mounting the hose on the side wall with its discharge end partially extending down into the fluid receiving opening. The hose discharge end is formed with axially extending notch and the support means and hose discharge end are provided with mating surfaces for mounting the hose on the enclosure side wall with the notch upper end extending above the fluid receiving opening to effect an air-gap.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 498,243, filed Oct. 20, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to automatic dishwashers, and more particularly to an automatic dishwasher wherein an improved side water inlet and improved support means are provided.

Certain popular types of dishwashers have an external water inlet mounted over an aperture on a side wall of the dishwasher, which thereby provides a conduit allowing water to pass into the enclosure. A gasket is generally interposed between the water inlet and the outer wall of the dishwasher on which the inlet is secured, to provide a water tight seal therebetween. It is often the case however, that after use of the dishwasher for a relatively short period, the combined factors of water pressure and high temperature cause the gasket to deteriorate. As a result of this deterioration, the water inlet develops leaks around its periphery.

A second problem frequently found in side inlet systems in general use today, is that the hose leading to the inlet has a tendency to move under water pressure. To avoid misalignment of the hose during operation, clamps have been designed which are relatively expensive relative to the function they perform in the over all operation of the appliance.

It is, accordingly, a principal object of my invention to provide an improved side inlet system for a dishwasher which is of greater reliability than those commonly used today, in that it'can not develop external leaks after sustained use of the dishwasher.

A more specific object of my invention is to achieve this goal by providing a side inlet system which is an integral part of the side wall of the dishwasher. The gasket means required is located within the interior of the enclosure, and any leaks which may develop are retained therein.

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It is yet a further object of my invention to provide a dishwasher having an improved combination side inlet and improved hose support means which is fully in accord with the existing plumbing codes; most of which require that there be an air-gap between the container of the domestic appliance and the source of supply. In this way, if there should be a failure in the domestic source of supply and the pressure should abruptly decrease, there is no chance that the contents of the machinewhich in the case of a dishwasher may well be vitiated waterwill be sucked back into the supply system.

A further specific object of my invention is, accordingly, to provide an improved combination side inlet and hose support means wherein the necessary air-gap is provided in an efiicient and economical manner, and in which the novel cooperation of the hose and hose support means insures proper assembly and retention of the hose in the side inlet structure.

In one aspect of my invention, I provide a dishwasher wherein the washing enclosure is formed as usual with bottom, top and side walls, and where at least one of the walls is movable so as to provide access to the enclosure. One of the side walls has an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment thereon, the end of the longer leg of the J- shaped embossment being separated from the side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for the enclosure. On the inside of the dishwasher, a substantially flat backing plate is secured to the inner side of the side wall and covers the J-shaped embossment. The backing plate has an aperture therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of the shorter leg of the J-shaped embossment; the backing plate and the embossment thereby defining a J-shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the outside of the enclosure, and a discharge opening on the inside of the enclosure. Additionally, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid receiving opening is provided.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid supplying means comprises a hose having a ridge extending axially from the discharge end along the outer Wall of the hose. On a circumferetially spaced segment of the hose, there is a notch extending axially from the discharge end which provides an air-gap in the hose. Support means mount the hose on the side wall with the discharge end above and extending down into the fluid receiving opening with the notch facing the backing plate. The hose is inserted so that the major portion of the notch is above the fluid receiving opening, thereby establishing an air-gap in the supply system. The support means has an aperture therethrough of the same configuration as the hose, whereby upon insertion of the hose through the aperture, the cooperation of the ridge and the aperture of the support means restrains the hose from any rotational movement, thereby maintaining the hose with the notch facing the backing plate and in operative association with the fluid receiving opening.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. My invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective, partly broken away to show details, of a dishwasher of the built-in type, that is, of the type which is intended to be secured under a kitchen counter in a permanent relationship to the counter;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the dishwasher of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view along line 33 of FIGURE 2,

and shows the improved inlet assembly of my invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2,

and shows the details of the supporting member of my invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a dishwashing machine 1; in this case the dishwasher is specifically of the built-in type, although my invention is also applicable to portable type dishwashers. Dishwasher 1 has an enclosure or tub 2 formed with sides including a back wall 3, side walls 4, front wall 7, a bottom section or wall 5, and a top wall 6. The dishwasher illustrated is of the front opening or drop-door type, that is, front wall 7 is formed as a door pivotable about its base 8 from the vertical position shown to a generally horizontal position (not shown) as is well known in the art. In addition, door 7 may have suitable vents therethrough (not shown) to permit hot air to escape from enclosure 2.

Within the tub 2 there are a pair of vertically spaced racks 9 and 10 adapted to receive dishes for washing. When door 7 is closed, the racks are in the positions shown, but when the door is open, the racks may roll forward in a manner well known in the art to a position wherein they are readily accessible to an operator for loading and unloading operations. Within the dishwasher, there is an appropriate pumping system, generally shown by the numeral 11, for recirculating water within tub 2 so as to effect washing of dishes during washing operations, and for removal of water subsequent to each washing or rinsing operation.

It will be understood that the rack structure, the front door structure, and the washing system may be of any type well known in the art. For instance, one such system is shown in application Ser. No. 332,162, filed Dec. 20, 1963, now US. Patent No. 3,213,866, by Leonard J. Martiniak, for Dishwashing Apparatus and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The operation of the dishwasher may be initiated by the operator by the use of a manually operable member 12. Then, as is conventional in the art, an appropriate series of washing, rinsing and drying operations will be provided under the control of a conventional timer device (not shown) and thereafter operation will terminate.

The dishwasher is connected to a source of water under pressure (not shown), normally a conventional municipal water system. A valve (not shown) is controlled in the usual way so as to permit water to come from the water system through a hose 13 to an inlet system generally indicated at 14 in FIGURES 1 and 2. The valve is controlled so as to permit the passage of water through hose 13 at the beginning of all washing and rinsing operations.

The side inlet structure and support means forming the subject matter of my invention is best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. Referring first to FIGURE 2, there is shown on one side wall 4 an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment 15, having shorter and longer legs, 16 and .17 respectively, joined at their lower ends by a curved segment 18. As shown in FIGURE 3, the upper end of the longer leg 17 is separated from side wall 4, and defines a fluid reeciving opening 19 for enclosure 2.

Covering the channel formed by the J-shaped embossment on the inside of enclosure 2, is a substantially flat backing plate 20. Any suitable fastening means such as self threading screws 21 may be used to secure backing plate to the inner side of side wall 4. Suitable gasket means 20A may be located around the peripheral edge of backing plate 20, interposed between the plate and the side wall to form a water tight seal therebetween.

Backing plate 20 has an aperture 22 therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of shorter leg 16 of the J-shaped embossment when plate 20 is secured to side wall 4. The backing plate 20 and embossment 15 thereby cooperate to define a J-shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening 19 on the outside of enclosure 2, and a discharge opening 22 on the inside of the enclosure.

The curved segment 18 in the conduit provides a functionally effective suds trap for the dishwasher. Water remaining in this segment after inlet flow stops will establish an adequate water seal against the out-flow of suds.

Extending down into fluid receiving opening 19 is the discharge end of hose 13. Referring once again to FIG- URE 3, it will be observed that hose 13 is asymmetrically shaped, having a ridge 23 extending axially from the discharge end of the hose and along the outer wall thereof. Ridge 23 may be formed integral with the hose when the hose is extruded. Ridge 23 cooperates with the novel support means of my invention in a manner described in detail herebelow. On a peripheral segment of hose 13 circumferentially spaced from ridge 23, there is a notch 24 extending axially from the discharge end of the hose for a distance of about 1% inches, which allows the end of the hose to extend into opening 19 and still provide a one inch gap. While I have shown notch 24 as being directly opposite ridge 23, it can be anywhere other than where the ridge is. Notch 24 provides an air-gap in accordance with the virtually universal requirement of plumbing codes. The air-gap is formed between the inlet hose 13 and fluid receiving opening 19 of the enclosure and extends from the upper end of the notch to the top of opening .19 so that the contents of the enclosure cannot be siphoned back through the inlet hose to the source of water under any circumstances.

When properly assembled, hose 13 is oriented so that notch 24 faces side wall 4. This assures proper discharge into fluid receiving opening .19. If the hose should accidentally rotate or be improperly assembled so that notch 24 faces outwardly, water may splash outside the opening and cause damage to the dishwasher or surrounding cabinets. To prevent hose 13 from accidentally rotating about its axis, I have provided the support means indicated generally at 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, support means 25 is formed of a continuous piece of metal, bent and punched to the desired configuration. Support means 25 comprises a bracket having a horizontal upper arm 26, one edge of which is disposed adjacent side wall 4. Arm 26 extends outwardly a distance not quite equal to the elevation of embossment 15 with respect to side wall 4, for reasons hereafter explained. At the outer edge of arm 26, there is a right angle bend in the metal, which now extends vertically downward as a spacing member 27.

Spacing member 27 extends downwardly for a short distance where there is a second right angle bend in the metal, which now extends inwardly as a lower arm 28 that is parallel to upper arm 26. Lower arm 28 terminates in a downwardly directed flange 29 which is adjacent side wall 4. Flange 29 is adapted to extend downwardly through the fluid receiving opening and into abutting relationship with backing plate 20, where it is welded thereto. The support means 25 is thus carried by backing plate 20 and mounted therewith. Since the bracket must he slipped through the fluid receiving opening, the necessity for making arm 26 smaller than the height of the embossment is now evident.

Upper and lower arms 26 and 28 have aligned openings, 30 and 31 respectively, therethrough, and vertical spacing member 27 has a vertically extending slot 32 (FIGURE 4) therethrough communicating with openings 30 and 31 in the upper and lower arms. The openings in the arms are of substantially the same cross sectional configuration as hose 13 with ridge 23 thereon. The width of slot 32 in member 27 is substantially identical to the width of the ridge. The arms thus accommodate passage therethrough of the hose, with the ridge extending through the slot in the vertical spacing member. The cooperation of ridge 23 and slot 32 prevents hose 13 from rotating about its axis and thereby maintains the notch in its operative position. In addition, the asymmetrical configuration of the hose makes it manifestly impossible to insert hose 13 through openings 30 and 31 other than in the correct relationship.

In assembling the dishwasher, support means 25 is inserted upwardly through fluid receiving opening 19 from the inside of enclosure 2. Backing plate 20 is then secured to side wall 4 with aperture 22 positioned over leg 16 of the J-shaped embossment. Hose 13 is compressed slightly along its length, and while so compressed is inserted downwardly through the openings in the upper and lower arms of support member 25 until the notch is partially concealed by the embossment. Upon releasing the hose after its insertion through the support means, it will expand and tightly engage the support means. Leg 27 of support means 25 is then squeezed beyond elastic limit, reducing slot 32 and gripping ridge 23 of hose 13, to thereby prevent longitudinal movement of the hose.

Alternatively, of course, support means 25 may be secured directly to the outer surface of side wall 4 in those appliances where the water inlet hose and trap structure is secured as a separate part to the outer side of the side wall, instead of being integral therewith as I have shown. In addition, while I have described a support member which is comprised of a continuous metal bracket, the support member may be formed of a suitable material in block-like form having a single aperture therethrough of the proper configuration.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an improved side inlet and an improved hose support in a novel cooperative relationship for a dishwasher. In my arrangement, the side inlet is an integral part of the side wall and is therefore more reliable, and economical to make. The support member and the supply hose are mechanically simple and yet provide means for simply mounting the hose in the fluid receiving opening and maintaining it in its operative position in accordance with plumbing code requirements.

While there has been described what is at present thought to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing enclosure formed with a bottom wall,

a top wall, and side walls, at least one of said walls being movable to provide access to said enclosure;

(b) one of said side walls having an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment thereon, the end of the longer leg of said J-shaped embossment being separated from said side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for said enclosure;

(c) a substantially flat backing plate secured to the inner side of said side wall and covering said J- shaped embossment;

(d) said backing plate having an aperture therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of the shorter leg of said J-shaped embossment, said backing plate and said embossment thereby defining a lshaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the outside of said enclosure and a discharge opening on the inside of said enclosure; and

(e) means for supplying fluid to said fluid receiving opening comprising a hose having an axially notched discharge end partially extending down into said fluid receiving opening.

2. The combination according to claim 1 including support means mounting said hose on said side wall with the discharge end of said hose extending down into said fluid receiving opening; said hose having an axially extending notch at the discharge end thereof, the upper end of said notch extending above said fluid receiving opening to thereby effect an air-gap in said fluid supplying means.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said hose has an asymmetrical configuration; said support means has a matching aperture therethrough, and the mating relationship of said hose in said aperture positions said hose with said notch facing said side wall.

4. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing enclosure formed with a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls, at least one of said walls being movable to provide access to said enclosure;

(b) one of said side walls having an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment thereon, the end of the longer leg of said J-shaped embossment being separated from said side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for said enclosure;

(c) a substantially flat backing plate secured to the inner side of said side wall and covering said J- shaped embossment;

((1) said backing plate having an aperture therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of the shorter leg of said J-shaped embossment, said backing plate and said embossment thereby defining a J- shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the outside of said enclosure and a discharge opening on the inside of said enclosure;

(e) a hose for supplying fluid to said fluid receiving opening:

(i) said hose having a ridge extending axially from the discharge end along the outer wall thereof; and

(ii) a notch extending axially from the discharge end along a circumferentially spaced segment of said hose;

(f) support means mounting said hose with the discharge end thereof extending down into said fluid receiving opening, with said notch facing said backing plate; said notch extending above said fluid receiving opening to thereby establish an air-gap in said fluid supplying means; and

(g) said support means having an asymmetrical aperture therethrough of substantially the same configuration as said hose, whereby upon insertion of said hose through said aperture, said hose with said notch will be restrained from rotational movement by the cooperation of said ridge and said support means.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said support means includes a flange extending therefrom through said fluid receiving opening, and into abutting relationship with said backing plate; said flange being rigidly secured to said backing plate, said support means thereby being mounted with said backing plate on said side wall.

6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said support means comprises:

(a) a bracket having parallel upper and lower horizontally disposed arms;

(b) a vertical spacing member joining said arms at the respective parallel edges thereof;

(c) said lower arm terminating in a downwardly di rected flange at the edge opposite that joining said spacing member; said flange extending into said fluid receiving opening and abutting said backing plate and rigidly secured thereto;

' (d) said upper and lower arms having aligned opening therethrough, and said vertical spacing member having a vertically extending slot therethrough communicating with said openings in said upper and lower arms; said openings accommodating passage through said openings of said hose, with said ridge extending through said slot, and ridge and said slot thereby cooperating to restrain said hose from rotational movement about its axis.

7. For use in a wishwasher having a washing enclosure formed with a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls, at least one of said walls being movable to provide access to said enclosure, and one of said side walls having an aperture therethrough defining a fluid receiving opening for said enclosure; the improvement comprising;

(a) a hose for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid receiving opening;

(i) said hose having a ridge extending axially from the discharge end along the outer wall thereof; and

(ii) a notch extending axially from the discharge end along a circumferentially spaced segment of said hose;

(b) support means mounting said hose on said side wall with the discharge end thereof extending down into said fluid receiving opening with said notch facing said side wall, said notch extending above said fluid receiving opening to thereby establish an air-gap for said enclosure;

(c) said support means having an asymmetrical aperture therethrough of substantially the same configuration as said hose, whereby upon insertion of said hose through said asymmetrical aperture, said hose will be restrained from rotational movement by said ridge, said support means maintaining said hose with said notch facing said side wall.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said support means comprises:

(a) a bracket having parallel upper and lower horizontal-1y disposed arms;

(b) a vertical spacing member joining said arms at the respective parallel edges thereof;

(c) said lower arm terminating in a downwardly directed flange at the edge opposite that joining said spacing member;

(d) means securing said flange to said side wall;

(e) said upper and lower arms having aligned openings therethrough, and said vertical spacing member having a vertically extending slot therethrough communicating with said openings in said upper and lower arms;

(f) said openings and said slot accommodating passage through said openings of said hose, with said ridge extending through said slot, said ridge and said slot thereby cooperating to restrain said hose from rotational movement about its axis.

9. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing enclosure formed with a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls, at least one of said walls being movable to provide access to said enclosure;

(b) one of said side walls having an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment thereon, the end of the longer leg of said J-shaped embossment being separated from said side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for said enclosure;

(c) a substantially flat backing plate detachably mounted from inside said enclosure to the inner side of said side wall and covering said J-shaped embossment;

(d) said backing plate having an aperture therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of the shorter leg of said J-shaped embossment, said backing plate and said embossment thereby defining a J-shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the outside of said enclosure. and a discharge opening on the inside of said enclosure;

(e) means for supplying fluid to said fluid receiving opening comprising a hose having an axially notched discharge end; and

(f) support means for mounting said hose on said side wall with said discharge end partially extending down into said fluid receiving opening,

(g) said support means being rigidly secured to said backing plate and detachably mounted as a unit therewith to said inner side of said washing enclosure side wall to facilitate installation and removal thereof from the inside of said enclosure.

10. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing enclosure formed with a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls, at least one of said walls being movable to provide access to said enclosure;

(b) one of said side walls having an outwardly extending J-shaped embossment thereon, the end of the longer leg of said J-shaped embossment being separated from said side wall and defining a fluid receiving opening for said enclosure;

(c) a substantially flat backing plate detachably mounted from inside said enclosure to the inner side of said side wall and covering said J-shaped embossment;

((1) said backing plate having an aperture therethrough positioned to coincide with the upper end of the shorter leg of said J-shaped embossment, said backing plate and said embossment thereby defining a J-shaped conduit having a fluid receiving opening on the outside of said enclosure and a discharge opening on the inside of said enclosure;

(e) hose means for supplying fluid to said fluid receiving opening; and

(f) support means for said hose means;

(g) said support means being secured to said backing plate and detachably mounted as a unit therewith to said side wall to facilitate installation and removal thereof from the inside of said enclosure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,566 4/1939 Frantz et al. 68207 X 2,643,665 6/1953 Stocking 137--216.1 2,655,024 10/1953 Sway 137-216 X 2,966,052 12/1960 Syles 68207 X 3,186,418 6/1965 Stern 134-58 3,224,023 12/1965 Brodie 1550 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner. D. LAMBERT, Assistant Examiner. 

